sliding by

"All right, I am seeing someone." Josie fessed up after the dance. She didn't need a ride a home. Topher was coming to pick her up.

"I thought so." Derrick was solemn about it.

"What did you do, hack my e-mail or something?" She didn't know why she said it. Fact was, Topher sent her lovely e-mail. Like real letters. She never checked her e-mail, but now she did. It was like someone wrote her songs. Mushy, she supposed, yet she loved every single letter.

"As if." Derrick winced at her.

"I think you should..should go out..with..Henry." Josie decided. She was thankful Henry showed an interest in him. And she was certain everything would be all right. If Derrick only gave him a chance.

"He's younger than me." Derrick shrugged as if such a thing was not allowed.

"Like what? A year or so?" Josie thought he must be joking. "He's sweet. Every Freshman girl wanted to be you tonight. Well, at least those in band. He's a really good, drummer I hear. Even made the drum corp."

Derrick was seething now.

"Suit yourself." Josie's ride was here and she got into Topher's little black PT Cruiser. She was tired of being  sad, and staying mad half the time with Derrick. At least Topher made her smile. His car was warm and music from the Smiths was there to greet her. It was like leaving for another planet when she was with Topher.